I AM not a member of the Swindon Society, but I would like to pay my tribute to Brian Bridgeman, who died recently.

He and his colleagues, like the members of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust and the Swindon and Cricklade Railway deserve thanks and appreciation for their commitment to the heritage of Swindon.

I just wish the councillors would show the same commitment.

Following 15 years of campaigning they finally accepted the proof I had that Thamesdown was a name produced by deception and betrayal, the Borough of Swindon was restored in 1997. Through the auspices of the Adver, the people of Swindon voted overwhelmingly to discard the false name of Thamesdown.

But still they dally with the name. Visitors see local buses emblazoned with Thamesdown. Is there an identity crisis?

The excuse given is that it made good business sense to retain the name after 1997. Codswallop! Hambro became Allied Dunbar and then again it changed to Zurich without detriment.

So come on, you councillors, follow the example of the town's societies and be true to Swindon.

To paraphrase St Paul..."If anything is true and of good report, think on these things." Thamesdown is not one of them.

ERIC BEINT

Burnley, Lancs